Lively‑Baldoni legal duel deepens as settlement talks stall ahead of May 18 trial

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s 16‑month feud over It Ends With Us advanced toward a May 18 trial after Judge Lewis Liman dismissed ten of thirteen claims against Lively; Lively signaled readiness to proceed, Baldoni’s camp said he will testify in person, and settlement talks were held via conference with Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave. Insiders say Hollywood’s backlash has damaged Lively’s standing and that a pre‑trial settlement remains possible, though any victory for Lively could be pyrrhic given the reputational fallout.